Landis+Gyr Enhances Security for Gridstream RF Smart Grid Network

Posted on: 1 February 2011

By:chw staff

Landis+Gyr announced the availability of its enhanced security solution for the Gridstream RF network that supports comprehensive network encryption and hardware solutions. This end-to-end security offering further solidifies Landis+Gyr's position as the premier provider of security solutions for smart grid systems.

Additionally, the FIPS 140-2 validated SafeNet Hardware Security Module allows Landis+Gyr customers to securely store cryptographic keys used to digitally sign downstream messages and commands in order to provide a strong root of trust among the head-end system and the RF devices in the network.

"Security is one of the most important issues facing utilities as they install smart grid infrastructure," said Jeff Carkhuff, Vice President of Product Management at Landis+Gyr. "That's why we've made Gridstream security a dynamic system that we continue to evaluate and improve with the help of top security organizations to keep it aligned with evolving industry standards and utility needs."

Utilizing non-proprietary cryptography from state of the art security experts ensures that GridStream will meet evolving security, risk and compliance challenges. In addition, Landis+Gyr is ensuring its security solution meets and exceeds the emerging security framework being developed by the NIST Smart Grid Interoperability Panel and Cyber Security Working Group, as well as the Open SG Security Working Group.

"Using an open architecture and standards-based encryption provides a mature security approach that allows our customers to deploy a long-term security solution," said Heath Thompson, Landis+Gyr's Chief Technology Officer. "This approach is proven in other industries and allows assets to be deployed securely with reasonable mitigations for extended timelines."

Landis+Gyr partnered with our customers to develop security mitigations that allow utilities to meet their operational goals securely. This release builds upon a solution that is designed to manage systemic risk. The security controls that Landis+Gyr customers have deployed include people and process controls such as role-based access control. These include system level encryption and message authentication mechanisms. Landis+Gyr customers also utilize physical mitigations and field tool protection mechanisms.

The Gridstream security solution is already being deployed and is currently available to Gridstream RF customers with Command Center 5.0 system operating software.